Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to prepare evacuation orders for the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Friday.

The new development demonstrates Israel’s intent to carry out operations in the southern city, near Gaza’s border with Egypt, that has become a refuge for more than 1 million Palestinians who had fled from more northern parts of the enclave at Israel’s insistence, which U.S. officials have expressed concern about in recent days.

Recommended Stories

Illegal immigrant charged with impersonating CIA official using scam agency

Russia shuts down last independent newspaper

Polish president scrambles back from overseas trip amid Donald Tusk-led ‘coup d’état’ at police-swarmed Constitutional Tribunal